Cheers to sports, nutrition and bridge work

To the Marist College Red Foxesfor another great season of women’s basketball.

This season, the team won its 11th consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season title, and its 10th MAAC championship in a game against the Quinnipiac University Bobcats.

The team made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament where the Red Foxes faced the sixth-seeded University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in Iowa City, Iowa. This year, the Marist College women’s basketball team was a No. 11 seed coming into the tournament.

The Marist team lost to Iowa 87-65, but served the area proud by making the tournament and giving it their best on the court.

Kudos to the Red Foxes; their fans look forward to next year!

To local experts participating in National Nutrition Month this March. The monthlong event stems from National Nutrition Week, which began in 1973. In 1980, the event was expanded to encompass a full month. National nutrition Month is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

On March 20, the Journal hosted its annual Dial-A-Nutritionist Night. Registered dieticians Annette Cuevas, Christopher Esola and Tanya Lopez; certified nutritionists Allan Sachs and Angela Russo; and holistic health and wellness coach Alyson Chugerman were on hand at the Journal offices to answer questions — both over the phone and online.

The nutrition experts fielded questions about how to safely gain weight after an illness, what diet is best for someone dealing with colitis, how to correct a pre-diabetic diagnosis through a healthier lifestyle, and more.

These experts were able to assist 28 people at the Dial-A-Nutritionist event.

In today’s society, illnesses related to poor diet are all too common. Kudos to our local and national experts who offer much-needed education and advice on practicing more healthy eating habits.

To the New York State Thruway Authority — yes, that is right, the New York State Thruway Authority — for purchasing steel made right here in the U.S. to build the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The steel was purchased from ArcelorMittal USA in Indiana. The commitment to buy American-made steel was part of the contract the Thruway Authority signed with Tappan Zee Constructors to build the bridge.

The bridge project is said to be the biggest transportation design project in U.S. history.

Furthermore, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Federal Highway Administration have committed to ensuring that at least 10 percent of the project’s subcontracts will go to qualifying disadvantaged businesses — small businesses run by those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Thus far, 44 percent of the project’s subcontractors and suppliers are disadvantaged business enterprises.

The bridge project is slated to be completed in 2018. The state’s decisions to buy U.S. steel and aid disadvantaged businesses are laudable — but it still must bring in this massive project on time and within budget.

The Poughkeepsie Journal celebrates “greater good” efforts in the mid-Hudson Valley through positive articles, briefs and “Three Cheers” editorials, all of which can be found at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/greatergood.